Watching Liverpool at the minute, you can really see what Slot is trying to do, and you can also see who is comfortably living in that new world and who is still playing catch up.
Macca And The Speed Of This New Liverpool
Macca is the big talking point for me. I absolutely love the lad, but right now he looks a couple of steps off the pace. When the rest of the team is zipping the ball around, he can look like he is chasing the picture rather than seeing it before it happens.
It is not about technical ability, he is clearly got that. It is more the mix of pace, athleticism and bite that this system is demanding. We are moving the ball very quickly, rotating positions, pressing in bursts, and it sometimes feels like the game is passing him by when the tempo goes up. You can almost see him half a second late into a space or into a duel, and at this level that is massive.
That does not mean he cannot adapt, but right now his profile looks a bit out of sync with what Slot wants from that area of the pitch. It is a tough watch because your head knows he is quality, but your eyes are telling you he is struggling to live with the speed.
From Diamond To 4-2-3-1: A More Sustainable Press
Tactically, though, there is a lot to like. Slot shifting away from the old diamond look into a clearer 4-2-3-1 feels like it suits the group better. The press looks more sustainable, more joined up. Instead of mad, chaotic sprints, you are seeing a bit more structure: the 10 blocking passing lanes, the wide lads jumping at the right triggers, the double pivot ready to mop up second balls.
The ball movement is sharper as well. We are getting on the front foot quicker, playing forward with purpose instead of that old “horseshoe” nonsense where it went side to side and back again until everyone in the ground was bored stiff. There is still patience, but it is patience with a point to it now, not just recycling for the sake of it.
Crucially, that slow, laboured progression through midfield is starting to disappear. When we win it, we look more willing to punch passes through the lines instead of always going safe. It is not perfect yet, but you can see the idea, and that is half the battle when a new manager comes in.
Defensive Transitions Still A Work In Progress
Of course, there are still issues. The big one is what happens when the first press is beaten. Our defensive transition is not there yet: lines get stretched, distances between units look a bit big and we are not always aggressive enough picking up runners.
That is the sort of thing that usually comes with time on the training pitch. A full week to drill distances, trigger points and who jumps when we lose it will do us the world of good. Right now, it feels like the front and back halves of the team are occasionally on slightly different pages when the ball turns over.
But this is exactly the kind of performance you can build from. The framework is there: shape, pressing idea, quicker circulation. Tighten up the transition moments and suddenly the whole thing looks a lot more solid.
Reserving Judgement On Isak, Enjoying Eki
On individuals, I am holding back a bit on Isak. He does not look anywhere near fully fit, and you can tell in his movement and sharpness. It is hard to properly judge a player in a new set-up when they are clearly not at their physical peak, so it feels fair to park the big opinions for now.
At the other end of the scale, though, Hugo Eki deserves real credit. He looks like he belongs, playing with confidence and personality. There is a bit of swagger there without it tipping into anything silly, just a young lad backing his own ability in a side that is changing around him.
Overall, you can see where this Liverpool is heading. The question now is who grows with the system, who adapts to the speed and the press, and who ends up looking like they are constantly half a yard behind the picture.
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Liverpool News Views offers daily Liverpool coverage including match reaction, transfer analysis, EFL context, tactical breakdowns and opinion-led articles written by supporters for supporters.
